KOCHI: The High Court has asked the Kannur University VC to explain the reason why he had directed to consider the application submitted by the TKC Education and Charitable Society for a new Arts and Science College in Padanna, Kasaragod, despite the defects in the application. In his order, Justice Devan Ramachandran stated that there is doubt whether the VC had intervened by overriding the objection of the university registrar. The judge said that the VC should give an explanation in this regard.

The single bench was hearing a petition filed by the Sharaf Arts and Science College Committee against the move to sanction the new self-financing college without following the UGC norms. The plea will be heard again on September 2.

The High Court had earlier stopped the process of starting the new college. The duration of this order has also been extended. As per the UGC norms, five acres of land are required to start the new college. However, details regarding the land were not specified in the application submitted by the TKC society. Following this, the university wrote twice to the society to rectify the deficiencies in the application. The society then replied that they own four and a half acres of land and can add one acre of a member of the society. It also sought three months for registration.

Intervening in this, the VC directed the registrar to hand over the reply to the syndicate and appoint a two-member committee to inspect the college. The High Court held that the VC gave the direction regarding an application that was incomplete and invalid as there was insufficient land.